Contested Divorce Attorney in Houston

Strategic Help When Your Divorce Turns Contentious

When spouses cannot agree on major issues like children, property, or support, the divorce becomes contested. The process is more complex, more time-consuming, and often more stressful than an agreed divorce, particularly in a large metropolitan area like Houston.

If you are already in a divorce conflict or see one coming, you do not have to navigate it alone. At Diggs & Sadler, our attorneys focus on complex family law matters and represent clients in high conflict situations. We work to protect your relationship with your children and your financial future while guiding you through each step.

Our firm brings more than 125 years of combined legal experience to contested cases. Founding attorney Cindy Diggs is Board Certified in both Civil Trial Law and Family Law, and our team includes multi decade courtroom lawyers recognized by publications such as Forbes Best Divorce Lawyers Houston 2024. 

To schedule a consultation with our Houston contested divorce lawyers, call (713) 766-5355 or reach out online.

How We Approach Contested Divorce

A contested divorce touches every part of your life, so you need more than a single lawyer working in isolation. At Diggs & Sadler, we use a team-based approach. When you hire one of our attorneys, you gain the perspective and input of the entire firm, including lawyers with board certifications and leadership roles in Texas family law.

From the start, we prepare your case as if it may go to trial. This does not mean that every contested divorce ends in a courtroom hearing. It does mean we build your case carefully, with detailed attention to evidence, strategy, and timing. Trial ready preparation often strengthens your position in negotiation and in mediation, because the other side understands that you are prepared to present your case to a judge if needed.

When you work with us on a contested case, you can expect a structured process:

• Initial strategy meeting: We review your history, current concerns, and priorities, and we identify urgent issues like temporary custody or access to funds.
• Case investigation: Our team gathers information about finances, parenting history, and any high conflict factors, such as substance abuse or mental health concerns.
• Planning and preparation: We develop a customized plan for hearings, discovery, negotiation, and possible trial, and we assign tasks across our attorneys and staff.
• Negotiation and mediation: We explore settlement when it aligns with your goals, using our trial readiness to support your position in these discussions.
• Hearing or trial: If necessary, our attorneys present your case in court, drawing on board certified trial and family lawyers within the firm.

Key Issues in Contested Divorce Cases

Child related disputes are often the most emotionally charged. In Texas, courts consider the best interests of the child when deciding conservatorship and possession schedules. High conflict situations may involve allegations of substance abuse, mental health conditions, or family violence, and some families must address special needs or unique educational concerns. Our attorneys, including lawyers recognized for handling high conflict custody cases, work to present a clear, fact based picture of your parenting and your children’s needs.

Property division can also become highly contested, particularly when a family owns businesses, has significant retirement savings, or holds assets in multiple forms. Texas follows community property principles, but the line between community and separate property is not always simple. Questions may arise about premarital assets, inheritances, or claims that one spouse is hiding income or accounts. Members of our team, including attorneys known for forensic accounting and complex property division work, are accustomed to tracing and analyzing financial information in detail.

Some contested divorces involve additional layers of complexity. International elements can affect custody and property, particularly if a parent has ties to another country or travels frequently for work. LGBTQ+ families may need careful attention to parentage, adoption histories, and how courts view different family structures. Cases that involve addiction or significant mental health issues require a balance of safety planning and long term family stability. We approach these matters with inclusive, nuanced representation.

Common sources of conflict in a contested divorce include:

• Disagreement over who should be the primary conservator or how parenting time should be shared
• Disputes about the value of a closely held business or professional practice
• Concerns that one spouse is hiding assets, income, or debts
• Arguments over whether property is community or separate under Texas law
• Claims that a parent’s behavior, such as substance use or unstable housing, affects the children’s best interests

Contested Divorce Process in Houston Courts

The process typically begins when one spouse files an Original Petition for Divorce. In contested cases, the court often addresses short term issues through temporary orders. These may cover who lives in the marital home, how much each party pays in temporary support, and where the children live and spend their time while the case is pending. Temporary orders hearings can shape the tone of the case, so careful preparation is critical.

During the discovery phase, each side exchanges information and documents. This can include tax returns, bank records, business financials, social media content, and other materials that shed light on parenting, property, and income. Discovery tools such as written questions and depositions help uncover the information needed to evaluate settlement options or prepare for trial. Our team coordinates this work, assigning tasks within the firm so that no important detail is overlooked.

Mediation is common in contested divorce cases filed in Harris County. Courts often require parties to attempt mediation before trial. A well prepared mediation can lead to a durable settlement, particularly when each side understands the strengths and weaknesses of their case. Even when mediation does not resolve every issue, it can narrow disputes and clarify what a judge may need to decide.

If settlement does not resolve all matters, the case proceeds to trial. Trials may be held before a judge, and in certain circumstances, before a jury on limited issues. Trial timelines depend on court dockets and case complexity. Our attorneys, including board certified trial and family lawyers, conduct thorough trial preparation so that witnesses, exhibits, and legal arguments are ready when your case is called.

If your divorce is becoming contested, practical steps now can protect you later:

• Gather key documents such as tax returns, pay stubs, account statements, and any business records you can access legally.
• Keep communication with your spouse and children civil and avoid discussing the case on social media.
• Avoid making major financial or parenting decisions without legal guidance, such as moving out of the home or changing schools.
• Write down specific examples of parenting involvement, financial contributions, and any troubling behavior, while events are still fresh.
• Schedule a consultation with a family law attorney who regularly appears in the Houston area courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a contested divorce usually take?

A contested divorce can take several months to more than a year. The timeline depends on court schedules, the complexity of your property and custody issues, and how willing each side is to exchange information and negotiate. We outline likely timing once we understand your specific situation.

Will I have to go to trial in my divorce?

Many contested cases resolve through negotiation or mediation before trial. Some, however, do require a hearing or trial for remaining issues. We prepare every case as if it may be tried, then look for resolution opportunities that align with your goals and the evidence in your case.

How will your team help with a high conflict custody case?

Our attorneys gather detailed information about your children’s needs and your parenting history, then develop a focused plan for presenting that information. We work with you to document concerns, respond to allegations, and prepare for hearings, always with the aim of supporting your children’s best interests.

What should I bring to our first meeting?

It helps to bring recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank and retirement statements, any court papers you have received, and a brief timeline of key events. If there are specific concerns about children, notes about school, medical, or counseling information can also be useful.

Can you handle complex assets or a family business?

Yes. Our firm regularly works on cases involving businesses, professional practices, and layered investment or retirement assets. Attorneys on our team are known for handling complex property division, including forensic accounting issues, and we develop strategies tailored to the structure of your holdings.

Talk With Our Team About Your Contested Divorce

If you are in the middle of a contentious separation or see conflict building, timely legal guidance can make a real difference. Speaking with our attorneys allows you to understand your rights, learn how the local courts handle situations like yours, and begin building a plan that reflects your priorities.

At Diggs & Sadler, we bring a team based, trial ready approach to every contested divorce. Our attorneys combine board certifications, decades of courtroom experience, and a client first philosophy that keeps your goals at the center of our strategy. Meeting with us is an opportunity to ask questions and decide whether our firm is the right fit for you.

To schedule a consultation with our Houston contested divorce attorneys, call (713) 766-5355 or reach out online.